Novice: In planning Stage Questions

[Liltx]

Our family would like to purchase DVC in 2009. We would have around 19K cash to purchase.
I like the idea of the Cont. resort but am not set on it. Do not want SSR or OKW though. Others would be fine.
We go once a year in the summer for a week and have in the past stayed only deluxe. This year we are downgrading to moderate. Would like a way to make deluxe more affordable.
We are a family of 4, two girls can share a bed, and do not plan to add to our family. A studio would work since I do not even cook at home. In future years as the kids grow I would anticipate only going Disney every other year and taking friends along. But do not want to go over $19,000 budget if possible. We do not believe in financing for luxuries.
So:
How many points?
Which use year?
Any other tips?
I would anticipate that we would buy next summer when we are in the world or if CR becomes available sooner can you do it from home?
TIA
Monica

 

[abner1776]

Since you are looking at a studio, then the minimum point purchase of 160 would work for you now, but at some point down the road you may want more room and a 1 bedroom would require somewhere around 250 points for a week at most DVC resorts. An option is to purchase the minimum now and add on points a few years down the road when you need them.

The cost for 160 points is well within your budget regardless of which resort you choose, so pick the resort you want and go for it. There is no such thing as a "sold out resort" in spite of what some people or DVC want you to believe. You just have to be persistant with the DVC rep and possibly get your name on a waitlist for a few weeks or a month. Pick the resort that you like best and the one that fits your families needs.

The UY debate in my mind is not worth the effort. Maybe this year or next year you want to visit WDW in July, but what about 2010 and 2015 ?? Maybe a christmas trip is in the works for 2011 or even a February 2013 trip as the kids are into school vacation trips. I choose an Oct UY for no reason other than it was available when I called the DVC guide. Choosing one UY over another is an exercise in futility.

Your only other choice is to purchase DVC thru Disney or TTS as a resale...each one has it's advantages.

Good luck

 

[chalee94]

We are a family of 4, two girls can share a bed, and do not plan to add to our family.

just be aware that in a studio (other than OKW), they will be sharing a pullout sofabed.

 

[marynvince]

to get more bang from your $19,000. Could do this year and be ahead of the game. One and 2 bedroom definitely worth the space upgrade over studio. As kids get older they will like their own space. SSR is good choice because of lower dues. If you don't anticipate needing 11month booking option because you are visiting at non-peek times, SSR is best Home resort from cost standpoint, you can still stay at any of the other resorts.
Good Luck, Vince

 

[Liltx]

I thought about the studio being tight quarters when they are older. But as they get older (like teens) we will probably only go every other year so we could save the points to use at one time right? Then we would be able to get a one bedroom. Now they are only 2 and 4 so not an issue with the sofa bed. Would it still be worth it to buy even though we would only go every other year in the future? We would only be going during school breaks which of course are busy times so I think the resort we buy into will be important in our case. I am a teacher and just won't take personal days and leave the children with a sub unless I have to for illness and such. Use year might be important with this as well since we will save points from one year and will go mainly in summers. This is due to dh work as well since he can only really take vacation in June or July. Other than that he only takes 5 holidays (self employed). We do not want to buy until next year since we have other financial goals until then. We plan to use part of Christmas 2008 bonus to pay in cash.
BTW Can you purchase interest with your parents? Would there be any benefit to this or would it be better to purchase seperately and just transfer points when needed?

Monica

 

[crisi]

We go every other year. Works great.

I will note that I do not feel the DVC resorts are as well maintained or appointed as the CRO hotels - even the moderates. So if you are looking for Deluxe Hotel, you may not be happy (not everyone shares my opinion). It may not be a bad idea to try renting points and seeing how this works.

You can purchase with your parents. Note that if you don't and depend on transfering points, there will be some limits (one transfer in or out per year, as I recall).

Use year, you are best off with a use year that lets you have most of the year AFTER your vacation - if you want to vacation in June or July that would be a May or June use year ideally. That way if you have to cancel, you have most of the year to use your points.

 

[disneynutz]

Visit the different DVC resorts. Rent points and stay the resort that you are interested in. Decide on your best possible vacation times. Summer is first choice, Christmas is second etc. Choose UY based upon your choices. Buy resale.

 

[BroganMc]

BTW Can you purchase interest with your parents? Would there be any benefit to this or would it be better to purchase seperately and just transfer points when needed?

Transfers are extremely limited now so to have that full free use of the program, you'd have the same master contract. Of course, you need to work out between you who will pay the dues bill and how the monies are divided.

At $19k if KTR is sold for $115 per point (some of the current estimates I've seen), that gives you about 165 points. 160 is the current minimum first purchase amount, but there's no guarantee they'll keep that next year.

KTR's point chart is unknown, but is expected to be higher than the average for current resorts. As an estimating yard stick I use AKV's Concierge point level. (I'm planning a smaller add-on at KTR next year as well.)

So with 165 points you could do the following trip arrangements over the summer: 7 days in a studio, 5 weekdays in a 1bedroom and 4 days in a 2bedroom. If you went every other year, you increase the amount of time in those rooms. (14 days in a studio, 7 days in a 1bedroom and 6 days in a 2bedroom.)

What you could do when the kids are young is chose the studio rooms and bank the remaining points. Create a sort of reserve fund for yourselves. Then when the girls reach pre-teen age, you can begin using bigger accommodations with your reserve fund, fewer days and/or EOY stays.

You may find that you prefer getting that 2bedroom when you take a grandparent, parent & grandkids trip. That's when having an ownership with the grandparents works best. They pay for their usage and you pay for yours. Just make certain all parties talk long and hard about all the ramifications of the program before you enter a financial committment together. You all need to understand how the points system works and how not to raid the pot so much all parties don't get their share.

 

[Liltx]

WOW! Thank you so much. You guys are really great and your experience is invaluable!

I think it would make sense to buy in with my parents. They take every other trip with us anyway since dh can't always go. I wouldn't have to worry about them taking advantage. In fact I would have to make sure my dad let me pay my half. What might work out even better is if they buy the initial and we pay the yearly fees. They would never go without us though but it would be nice to sometimes have a 2 bedroom and other times get 2 studios.
Conversations with DF:
Me-"Dad want to go to Disney?"
Dad-"Sure, what are the flight numbers?"
10 minutes later
Dad- "OK it's booked" (for all of us)

Did I mention that he spoils us?

Thank again. I'm sure I will have many more questions next Spring but will be lurking until then.
Monica

 

[PIERCEDRN]

WOW! Thank you so much. You guys are really great and your experience is invaluable!

I think it would make sense to buy in with my parents. They take every other trip with us anyway since dh can't always go. I wouldn't have to worry about them taking advantage. In fact I would have to make sure my dad let me pay my half. What might work out even better is if they buy the initial and we pay the yearly fees. They would never go without us though but it would be nice to sometimes have a 2 bedroom and other times get 2 studios.
Conversations with DF:
Me-"Dad want to go to Disney?"
Dad-"Sure, what are the flight numbers?"
10 minutes later
Dad- "OK it's booked" (for all of us)

Did I mention that he spoils us?

Thank again. I'm sure I will have many more questions next Spring but will be lurking until then.
Monica

My Mom, who also is way too generous did the same thing for us. She paid the initial SSR contract (150 resale points) and we pay the dues. It is split between me and my 2 sisters but they don't use it yet. We will add on when KTV is for sale, but we did the SSR to get our "foot in the door". Best decision we ever made! Stayed at AKV (our fav!) VWL and SSR so far with BCV in May and BWV in Oct.
BOB

 

[Average Joe]

Now they are only 2 and 4 so not an issue with the sofa bed. Would it still be worth it to buy even though we would only go every other year in the future?

We would only be going during school breaks which of course are busy times so I think the resort we buy into will be important in our case. I am a teacher and just won't take personal days and leave the children with a sub unless I have to for illness and such.

Unless you have enough points for 2BR you will have a sofa bed (excluding OKW studio). A 1BR will give you more space but the kids will still sleep on a sofa bed in the living room.

I think it is great that you care about your students. However, you should treat your own kids to at least one Disney trip for Halloween. Best trip ever October 2007. Tell the class you got Disney Fever.

 

[tomandrobin]

Unless you have enough points for 2BR you will have a sofa bed (excluding OKW studio). A 1BR will give you more space but the kids will still sleep on a sofa bed in the living room.

I think it is great that you care about your students. However, you should treat your own kids to at least one Disney trip for Halloween. Best trip ever October 2007. Tell the class you got Disney Fever.

We went last Halloween this year. I will 100% agree with you, we had a Fantastic trip! We luck out with the schools, they are usually closed for 3 days around that time.